FALLING FOR YOU | Renhyuck

7

Chapter 7:

The arcade meeting with Haechan lingered in Renjun’s mind far longer than he’d like to admit. Every time he glanced at the plushie sitting on his nightstand, a reminder of the strange, unexpected fun they’d had together, he couldn’t help but smile. Despite his better judgment, Renjun found himself thinking about Haechan more often, his heart doing weird little flips whenever he remembered Haechan’s words: *“You should smile more often.”*

Back at school, things had returned to their usual rhythm. Jeno and Jaemin were absorbed in each other as always, but Renjun didn’t feel the sting of being left out as much this time. Chenle’s words and his unexpected day with Haechan had lightened the weight on his chest, even if just a little.

During lunch, Renjun found a quiet spot under a tree, away from the bustling cafeteria. He needed some peace, away from the constant noise and judgmental stares of his classmates. As he flipped through his sketchbook, trying to focus on drawing rather than his swirling thoughts, the familiar sound of footsteps approached.

“Skipping lunch again, I see.”

Renjun looked up to find Haechan standing there, holding two cans of soda and a bag of chips. He wore that same cocky grin that always made Renjun’s heart race, though he would never admit it.

“What are you doing here?” Renjun asked, setting his sketchbook aside.

Haechan shrugged, plopping down beside him without waiting for an invitation. “Figured you’d be hiding out. Plus, I brought snacks.”

Renjun couldn’t help but smile a little. “You didn’t have to.”

“I know,” Haechan replied, handing him a soda. “But I wanted to.”

They sat in comfortable silence for a while, the sun filtering through the leaves above, casting dappled shadows on the grass. It was moments like this—quiet and unassuming—that Renjun found himself appreciating more and more. With Haechan, things always felt unexpected but oddly comforting, like he could let his guard down even if just a little.

“So, what’s the deal with you and Jeno lately?” Haechan asked suddenly, popping open his soda can. “You look miserable around him and Jaemin.”

Renjun tensed, not expecting the question. “It’s nothing. They’re just… busy with each other, I guess.”

Haechan studied him carefully, his playful demeanor momentarily replaced by something more serious. “You sure that’s all it is? You don’t have to pretend around me, you know.”

Renjun hesitated, feeling the urge to open up, but the words felt heavy on his tongue. He’d been bottling up his feelings for so long, afraid of being seen as weak or needy. “It’s just… sometimes I feel like I don’t really belong with them,” he admitted quietly. “Like I’m just there, tagging along because they feel obligated.”

Haechan’s expression softened, and he nudged Renjun’s shoulder lightly. “You’re not an obligation, Renjun. You’re worth way more than that. If they can’t see it, that’s on them, not you.”

Renjun blinked, caught off guard by Haechan’s sincerity. He’d gotten so used to the teasing and flirtatious banter that seeing this softer side of Haechan was almost jarring. “Why do you care?” Renjun asked, his voice barely above a whisper. “You’re always messing with me.”

Haechan looked away, his usual confidence faltering for a moment. “Maybe I like messing with you because you’re the only one who doesn’t back down. You keep me on my toes.”

Renjun laughed softly, feeling warmth spread through his chest. “You’re impossible.”

“Maybe,” Haechan replied with a smirk. “But admit it—you like having me around.”

Renjun’s cheeks flushed, and he quickly turned his attention back to his soda, unwilling to admit the truth. Before he could respond, the sound of loud voices caught their attention. Renjun looked up to see Jeno and Jaemin approaching, their hands intertwined, but Jeno’s expression was far from cheerful.

“Here we go,” Haechan muttered under his breath, leaning back against the tree.

Jeno’s eyes narrowed as he saw Haechan beside Renjun, his irritation palpable. “What are you doing here, Haechan?”

“Just enjoying some lunch with my favorite person,” Haechan replied nonchalantly, ignoring Jeno’s glare. “Isn’t that right, Renjun?”

Renjun fumbled for a response, caught between Jeno’s disapproval and Haechan’s relentless teasing. “Uh, yeah… we were just talking.”

Jaemin smiled, though his eyes were wary. “We’ve been looking for you, Renjun. We thought you’d be at our usual spot.”

Renjun’s heart sank a little, the familiar feeling of being a second thought washing over him. “I just needed some fresh air,” he mumbled.

Jeno crossed his arms, his tone sharp. “You don’t have to waste your time with him, Renjun. He’s just trying to get under your skin.”

Haechan scoffed, but there was an edge to his voice that Renjun hadn’t heard before. “Funny, Jeno. I think you’re the one getting worked up.”

Jaemin squeezed Jeno’s hand, trying to diffuse the tension. “Let’s not start anything. We’re all friends here.”

Renjun looked between them, feeling torn. He hated the way Jeno’s words cut into him, reminding him of his past, of the bullies who had made him feel worthless. But at the same time, Haechan’s presence felt like a lifeline, a way to push back against the darkness creeping in.

“It’s fine,” Renjun said finally, standing up. “I appreciate you guys checking on me, but I’m okay. Really.”

Jeno’s expression softened slightly, though his eyes still held a hint of frustration. “Just… don’t let him mess with you, okay?”

Renjun nodded, but as he glanced back at Haechan, he saw something else—hurt, masked by his usual bravado. For a moment, Renjun wondered if Haechan’s teasing was just a facade, a way to protect himself from feeling vulnerable.

Jaemin pulled Jeno away, leaving Renjun and Haechan alone once more. Haechan watched them go, his playful demeanor slipping as he turned to Renjun. “I’m not just messing with you, you know.”

Renjun met his gaze, seeing the honesty in Haechan’s eyes. “Then what are you doing?”

Haechan hesitated, as if debating how much to reveal. “I don’t know,” he admitted finally. “But I think… I think I just like being around you.”

Renjun’s heart skipped a beat, his mind going blank like it always did when Haechan got too close. He wanted to ask more, to understand what Haechan really felt, but the words caught in his throat.

Instead, he settled for something simpler, something that felt true in the moment. “I like being around you too.”

Haechan’s smile was small but genuine, a flicker of something real and unguarded. “Then maybe we should do this more often.”

Renjun nodded, feeling the beginnings of something new, something fragile but promising, bloom between them. Whatever this was, he wasn’t ready to name it yet. But for now, sitting under the tree with Haechan by his side, it felt like enough.

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